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[Three men with breast cancer].
E A G Bergs1, P J Tanis, E Ph Steller
1Sint Lucas Andreas Ziekenhuis, afd. Chirurgie, Jan Tooropstraat 164, 1006 AE Amsterdam.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 24, 2005
Summary
Male breast cancer is rare but treatable. Early diagnosis improves survival, with outcomes similar to women when matched for age and stage. Standard treatment includes mastectomy and adjuvant therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Men's Health
Background:
- Male breast cancer is uncommon, leading to delayed diagnosis and potentially advanced disease.
- Risk factors include age and a positive family history, similar to female breast cancer.
Observation:
- Three male patients (ages 81, 66, 58) with breast cancer underwent modified radical mastectomy and axillary-node dissection.
- Treatments included tamoxifen, with radiotherapy for two patients.
- Delayed presentation is common due to rarity and unfamiliarity with the disease.
Findings:
- Male breast cancer often presents at an advanced stage, contributing to higher mortality compared to women.
- When matched for age and stage, male survival rates are comparable to female patients.
- Hormonal therapy, like tamoxifen, plays a significant role in adjuvant treatment due to high hormone receptor positivity in men.
Implications:
- Timely diagnosis is crucial for improving outcomes in male breast cancer.
- Standard treatment protocols, including modified radical mastectomy and sentinel-node biopsy, are effective.
- Adjuvant systemic treatment criteria are similar for men and women, with a notable emphasis on hormonal therapy for men.